Manual spinning toy

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a toy capable of generating amusement or creating interest when a person, such as a child, manually spins the toy about a finger inserted through one of a plurality of extended rings. A unique feature of the invention resides in the adaptability of the rings to frictionally retain conventional sound producing devices which function to produce various sounds during the spinning operation. Further amusement or interest is engendered by the unique &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;building block&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; structure of the invention which permits a unit toy to be removably joined to another unit toy to form a variety of assemblies with an expanded sound producing capability.

United States Patent [72] Inventor HowardBrockway 4003 Vernon Road, Drexel Hill, Pa. 19026 [21] Appl. No. 799,590

[22] Filed Feb. 17, 1969 [45] Patented June 8, 1971 [54] MANUAL SPINNING TOY 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

13,092 0/1889 GreatBritain ABSTRACT: The invention relates to a toy capable of generating amusement or creating interest when a person, such as a child, manually spins the toy about a finger inserted through one of a plurality of extended rings. A unique feature of the invention resides in the adaptability of the rings to frictionally retain conventional sound producing devices which function to produce various sounds during the spinning operation. Further amusement or interest is engendered by the unique building block" structure of the invention which permits a unit toy to be removably joined to another unit toy to form a variety of assemblies with an expanded sound producing capability.

PATENTED JUN 8197! INVIL'N'IUK L D/TH 5200K W4 Y AT TORNE Y MANUAL SlPllNNllNG TQY This invention relates to a toy and particularly, to a manual spinning toy capable of producing various sounds during the spinning operation. More particularly, the invention concerns a unit toy provided with means which permits ready joinder with a like unit toy whereby an integral assembly may be formed operable by manual spinning and having an expanded sound-producing capability.

The present invention evolved from a variety of individual concepts which in their elementary form have long been recognized as having a particular appeal to children. The prior art is replete with manifestations of these concepts, comprising manual spinning, sound producing and assembling of simple structures and, accordingly, devices embodying these features for the amusement of children fall within a crowded art. Illustrative prior art devices or toys embodying features of manual spinning and sound producing are disclosed in numerous US. patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 477,904, 684,998, 2,979,858 and 3,040,474. These patents granted as long ago as the year 1892 and as recently as the year 1962 attest to the ageless character of the conceptual bases of the patented devices and to mans ingenuity to embody same in unique and inventive constructions.

The inventive toy represents a significant departure from a structural design common to many of the prior art toys in that the use of a cord or a string to whirl or otherwise spin a soundproducing device through the air is obviated. Thus, disadvantages attendant such use, including the danger to children and others represented by the breaking of the chord or string as a result of the centrifugal force generated, are avoided. Even in the absence of the cord or string breaking, there is an inherent danger of someone being struck and injured when an object attached to the end is rapidly whirled about since the visability of the object diminishes with increasing speed and a child is therefore more likely to step innocently into its path.

Another departure from the basic structures of prior art sound-producing toys resides in the adaptability of the inventive toy to be employed with one or a plurality of soundproducing elements or even without any sound-producing elements whereby the toy may be employed solely as a device of spinning skill. For the most part, the prior art sound-producing toys are not so adaptable and lack the versatility characteristic of the invention toy for interchange of sound-producing elements, such as whistles of different pitch, rattles and the like, as well as for utilization of a plurality of such elements in a variety of combinations, all of which serve to maintain interest and hold a childs attention, thereby providing an optimum potential for amusement.

An additional feature embodied in the inventive toy and significantly enhancing its versatility provides a clear distinction over similar toys of the past. This feature resides in the building block design of a unit toy which permits a plurality of unit toys to be readily joined by a child into an integral assembly having an enhanced sound-producing capability and providing increased demands on the childs spinning skills.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a manual spinning toy which is unattended by the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a manual spinning toy which has an enhanced sound-producing capability.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit toy which may readily be joined by a child to another unit toy to form a manual spinning assembly.

The unit toy of the present invention may generally be described as having a symmetrical structure comprising a disclike or cylindrical member at its center and a plurality of ringlike members extending from the surface of curvature in a direction radially outward. The central, disclike member is also provided with a plurality of slots extending from said surface of curvature radially inward, each slot being positioned intermediate adjacent ringlike members and adapted to receive and frictionally retain a mating ringlike member of another unit toy when inserted therein with the aid ofa slight pressure.

Functionally, each ringlike member is adapted to play a threefold role. First, each is adapted for the insertion of a child's finger as an axis of revolution to permit rotational motion to be imparted to the toy. Secondly, each is adapted for the insertion and frictional retention of sound-producing means, Accordingly, as the former role will involve only one ringlike member, any number including all of the remaining ringlike members may be utilized for the latter role. Thus, where a unit toy has three ringlike members, means for sound producing may be inserted in two ringlike members. In such case, as an example, the unit toy may be fitted with a whistle and a rattle, two whistles or two rattles.

The sound-producing means contemplated by the present invention can be any of the standard sound-producing devices traditionally used in toys and novelties, including those described in the aforementioned U.S. patents, the sole limiting criterion being that such devices be adapted by size and shape to be inserted within and frictionally retained by the ringlike members of the inventive toy. In this regard, it is generally contemplated that the sound-producing device will resemble a small disc, the arrangement and construction being such that the device fits snugly and is frictionally held when manually pressed and seated within a ringlike member. The soundproducing disc or the ringlike member or both may be made of an elastic or flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, to assist in the seating and retention of the disc. it is further contemplated that the sound-producing disc may be provided with a rim which is slightly concave whereby an additional retention assist will be provided by the degree of overlap of such rim when mated with the convex inner surface of the annulus comprising a ringlike member.

As aforementioned, there is a third role which may be played by each ringlike member. This role relates to the building block" feature of the invention. Each ringlike member of a unit toy is adapted for insertion within a mating slot of another unit toy to form an interlocking structure or assembly of unit toys. While a preferred embodiment of such an assembly is contemplated as comprising like unit toys, i.e., each unit toy comprising equal numbers of ringlike members and slots, each ringlike member being of the same size and each slot being of the same size, it is understood that the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. In this regard, the invention also embraces assemblies comprising unit toys of different size disclike members with different numbers of ringlike members and slots as well as different size ringlike members and slots. The latter case would necessarily be limited to at least a mating pair between different unit toys, i.e., a ringlike member of one unit toy mating with a slot in another unit toy, and would serve to introduce an additional element of interest by requiring a child to exercise judgment in making a proper selection.

The slots provided in the central, disclike member of the inventive toy are generally designed to mate with the ringlike members of like toys and accordingly, will be essentially circular in shape. However, as the opening or entrance to a slot in the rim of the central, disclike member represents a chord, the essentially circular shape will be changed thereby and the circular area will be diminished to the extent of the area bounded by the chord and its subtended arc. For ease in the insertion of a ringlike member into a slot as well as for ease in the removal ofa ringlike member therefrom, it is contemplated that a portion of the ends of the central, disclike member forming the sidewalls of a slot be removed. Desirably, the portion removed is essentially the same shape as the slot, i.e., circular, but smaller in size thereby leaving a lip or flange about the slot in place of each sidewall. The lips or flanges serve as guides during insertion ofa ringlike member and aid in its retention.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view ofa unit toy of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective ofa whistle-producing means adapted for use in combination with the unit toy of FIG.

FIG. 3 *is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken through 3-3 of FIG. I and FIG. 4 is a plan view of an assembly of the invention formed by joining three of the unit toys shown in FIG. 1.

For the purpose of providing a better understanding of the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same construction elements throughout the several figures.

In FIG. 1, depicting a unit toy of the invention, central disclike member is shown with three ringlike members 11 symmetrically arranged about the periphery and extending radially outward therefrom. Three slots 12 adapted to receive elements similar to ringlike members 11 are provided in disclike member 10 symmetrically arranged about the periphery and extending radially inward therefrom, each slot being intermediate adjacent ringlike members 11. Central, disclike member 10 is shown with portions of its end walls cut out. These portions, normally forming the sidewalls of slots 12, are slightly smaller in area than slots 12 and permit a child's fingers to readily insert or remove a ringlike member 11 of a like unit toy. Guidance and retention means therefor are provided by flanges 13, which constitute the portions of the end walls of central, disclike member 10 which overlap slots 12 and have an area equal to the difference between the area of slots 12 and portions of central, disclike member 10.

Whistle-producing means 14 is shown in FIG. I inserted in operative position within a ringlike member 11. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of whistle-producing means 14 and depicts in perspective the disclike adapter holding the whistle element.

The construction of the unit toy of the invention is further detailed in FIG. 3 which depicts a sectional view taken through 33 of FIG. 1. It is observed here that the attachment of ringlike members 11 to central, disclike member 10 and the provision therein of slots 12 are such that a symmetrical cross section is provided.

FIG. 4 is illustrative of a specific embodiment of an assembly of three unit toys of the invention. In this embodiment each unit toy is the same as that depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3 with the arrangement and construction of central, disclike member 10, ringlike members 11 and slots 12 being essentially the same as depicted therein. The interlocking construction between adjacent unit toys is illustrated by ringlike members 11 removably seated and frictionally retained within slots 12.

In the operation of the assembly of FIG. 4 a child inserts a finger through one of the available ringlike members 11 and spins the assembly about such finger. While each unit toy is combined with a whistleproducing means 14, such as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, it will be noted that the radial distance thereof from the axis of revolution, i.e., the child's finger, will vary. Accordingly, as the airflow through element 14 is the activating and influential sound-producing factor and such airflow varies with the element's tangential velocity which in turn is a function of the radial distance it necessarily follows that a wide range of sounds may be produced by judicious employment and positioning of the sound-producing elements.

While the invention has been described and disclosed in connection with various specific embodiments thereof, it is understood that no limitations or restrictions are intended thereby and that said embodiments are merely indicative of the best mode of practicing the invention. It is also contemplated that the inventive toy may be utilized in combination with sound-producing means adapted not only for insertion within the ringlike members but also for insertion within the slots.

Accordingly, the embodiments in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toy corn rising:

a central disc ike member having spaced substantially parallel faces and a generally circular periphery;

a plurality of ringlike members integrally secured between said parallel faces, and extending radially outwardly from the periphery, of said disclike member; and

a plurality of generally arcuate slots extending radially inwardly from the periphery ofsaid disclike member,

said ringlike members and said arcuate slots being arranged alternately and symmetrically about the periphery of said disclike member,

the arrangement and construction being such that a childs finger may be inserted through one of said ringlike members and employed as an axis of revolution by imparting rotational motion to said toy.

2. A toy according to claim 1' wherein each of said slots is adapted to receive and frictionally retain a ringlike member of a like toy, whereby a plurality of toys may be removablyjoined to form an assembly thereof.

3. A toy according to claim 2 wherein each of said slots is defined by semiflexible material and is disposed radially inward to such a degree that it presents a radially outward opening smaller than the outer diameter of a ringlike member.

4. A toy according to claim 3 having a symmetrical cross section and a disclike member thicker than said ringlike members and slots, the ends of said disclike member being constructed and arranged to provide flanges determining the thickness of said slots and adapted to retain ringlike members of like toys received within the slots, and the centers of adjacent ringlike members being separated by an arc subtended by a central angle of said disclike member of 2/3 11' radians, at least one of said ringlike members having whistle-producing means inserted therewithin and frictionally retained thereby.

5. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the are between centers of adjacent ringlike members is subtended by a central angle of said disclike member of 2/3 7r radians.

6. A toy according to claim 1 having a symmetrical cross section and a disclike member thicker than said rings and slots.

7. A toy according to claim 6 wherein the ends of said disclike member provide walls determining the thickness of said slots and adapted to retain ringlike members of like toys received within the slots.

8. A toy according to claim 6 wherein the ends of said disclike member are constructed and arranged to provide flanges determining the thickness of said slots and adapted to retain ringlike members of like toys received within the slots.

9. A toy according to claim 1 having sound-producing means inserted within at least one of said ringlike members and frictionally retained thereby.

10. A toy according to claim 9 wherein said sound-producing means comprises whistle-producing means. 

1. A toy comprising: a central disclike member having spaced substantially parallel faces and a generally circular periphery; a plurality of ringlike members integrally secured between said parallel faces, and extending radially outwardly from the periphery, of said disclike member; and a plurality of generally arcuate slots extending radially inwardly from the periphery of said disclike member, said ringlike members and said arcuate slots being arranged alternately and symmetrically about the periphery of said disclike member, the arrangement and construction being such that a child''s finger may be inserted through one of said ringlike members and employed as an axis of revolution by imparting rotational motion to said toy.
 2. A toy according to claim 1 wherein each of said slots is adapted to receive and frictionally retain a ringlike member of a like toy, whereby a plurality of toys may be removably joined to form an assembly thereof.
 3. A toy according to claim 2 wherein each of said slots is defined by semiflexible material and is disposed radially inward to such a degree that it presents a radially outward opening smaller than the outer diameter of a ringlike member.
 4. A toy according to claim 3 having a symmetrical cross section and a disclike member thicker than said ringlike members and slots, the ends of said disclike member being constructed and arranged to provide flanges determining the thickness of said slots and adapted to retain ringlike members of like toys received within the slots, and the centers of adjacent ringlike members being separated by an arc subtended by a central angle of said disclike member of 2/3 pi radians, at least one of said ringlike members having whistle-producing means inserted therewithin and frictionally retained thereby.
 5. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the arc between centers of adjacent ringlike members is subtended by a central angle of said disclike member of 2/3 pi radians.
 6. A toy according to claim 1 having a symmetrical cross section and a disclike member thicker than said rings and slots.
 7. A toy according to claim 6 wherein the ends of said disclike member provide walls determining the thickness of said slots and adapted to retain ringlike members of like toys received within the sLots.
 8. A toy according to claim 6 wherein the ends of said disclike member are constructed and arranged to provide flanges determining the thickness of said slots and adapted to retain ringlike members of like toys received within the slots.
 9. A toy according to claim 1 having sound-producing means inserted within at least one of said ringlike members and frictionally retained thereby.
 10. A toy according to claim 9 wherein said sound-producing means comprises whistle-producing means. 